Savannah sparrow (with spider).
Kind of overcast to start, kind of rainy at the end of it. Edited for most of it, then errands. Then Beech Hill.
Birch.
Somehow we timed it well, Jack and I: a period of steady rain let up just as we turned into the parking lot, and a fog settled over the landscape. In the young trees near the trailhead, I heard a yellow-rumped warbler (surprise, surprise) poking about among the turning leaves. A few of those leaves were scattering in the breeze, so it took a minute to spot the bird. And then I saw another, smaller warbler—but I hadn’t brought my binoculars (on account of the rain) and couldn’t get an ID.
Farther up the trail, I heard the notes of chickadees and a white-throated sparrow. At the foggy summit, I heard a flicker calling somewhere down the eastern slope. Returning, I heard a jay and saw a couple hollering crows flap by in the distance. Then a couple sparrows hopped up onto a trailside weed. I took a few photos, thinking at first they were song sparrows—but then they hopped down and began hurrying along the trail ahead of us, as I’ve often seen Savannahs do. I’m no sparrow expert, but the photos (especially the yellowish lores) convinced me.
Other than the chips of ‘rumps as we headed back to the pickup, nothing much else to report—well, other than a little thundershower tonight.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Yellow-rumped warbler
2. Black-capped chickadee** (v)
3. White-throated sparrow (v)
4. Northern flicker (v)
5. Blue jay (v)
6. American crow*
7. Savannah sparrow
Elsewhere
8. Herring gull
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, herring gull, northern flicker, savannah sparrow, white-throated sparrow, yellow-rumped warbler
